Comments on: The Sad End of Bing Cashback

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:50:12 +0000

Good question Rob. I use Google 100% of the time. I do remember that study that Brad is referring to. I too didn’t necessarily always prefer Google’s results, although there are some queries where Google definitely understands what you’re asking better. Like Brad though, I’m just really used to G’s interface and it’s my default search engine and I’m always using my Google Apps account so it doesn’t make sense to use anything else. At least Bing Cashback got me on their site using it. If it wasn’t for that, I’d never use it other than to play around Googling myself or our business

By: Brad

Brad — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:14:25 +0000

I primarily use Google Rob.

Although when Bing was released a Microsoft engineer setup a blind search engine comparison between Yahoo, Google, and Bing. The user entered a search term and selected the results they preferred best. Interestingly, ~50% of users picked Yahoo and the other 50% split evenly between Bing and Google.

Of course, it standardized the styles which is a big reason I use Google. I find it more intuitive and less intrusive to finding results. Although Yahoo might have ‘better’ results, they’re not better enough to convince me to switch.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:35:23 +0000

Straw poll: Hands up for your everyday search engine.

Me, I use Google. The only time I use bing is if I’m using a friend’s computer and that’s what they’ve got their default set as, but as soon as possible I’ll just navigate to the big G.

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:23:42 +0000

Exactly. We all Google for discount codes. Knowing that the discount is built right in, and that you’ll get the cash back as a check or PayPal deposit is such a simple idea but I think it really does encourage buyers to buy more.

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:22:13 +0000

I really think it was the type of thing that could have gone mainstream had they given it more time and then advertised for it like Bing advertises for their search engine. And if people are spending a lot of time on Bing shopping, they’ll probably start searching more.

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:03:10 +0000

I knew about bing cash back but never bothered to sign up for it. I didn’t know it was as extensive as it is until earlier this month…and then I found out it was ending…

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:35:18 +0000

I also hadn’t heard of this particular program, but every time I make an online purchase I use some kind of cashback scheme, do a google for coupon codes etc. Knowing that that’s automatically built into the search engine is huge, and the only reason I can see it not working is if the admin is too much to handle.

By: Adam McFarland

Adam McFarland — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:48:25 +0000

Interesting Jenn. I hadn’t heard of either of them…we’ll definitely check them out.

By: jennsquared

jennsquared — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:45:45 +0000

As a consumer, I didn’t know about the bing program, but I use ShopAtHome and Ebates all the time to get cashback. The programs were super easy to use, cash from Ebates goes directly to my Paypal account regardless the amount, ShopAtHome required the accumulation of $20 but sometimes has higher cashback rate. Not sure if it’s something you want to look into, but I as a consumer loved the two programs.